Page 72 - GHES-3-2

Global Health Economics and
Sustainability
Climate change and quality of life

Erickson & Brase, 2020; Sergeant et al., 2024; Semenza 15 times higher in highly vulnerable regions (Levy & Patz,
et al., 2011). These emissions result from activities, such 2015). Increased exposure to the risks posed by climate
as using gasoline to power vehicles or burning coal to heat change is impeding any progress made in terms of achieving
buildings, clearing land, and deforestation (Karl et al., universal sustainable development goals (SDGs) (Albouy
2009; Martens et al., 1997; Stern, 2006). The primary et al., 2016; World Meteorological Organization, 2024).
sectors responsible for emissions of GHGs include energy, The negative impacts of climate change on health range
industry, transportation, buildings, agriculture, and land from heat-related or vector-borne diseases to water-borne
use (Dietz et al., 2020; Fan et al., 2018; Feliciano et al., 2022; infections, allergies, malnutrition, respiratory issues, and
IPCC, 2023; Lindroos et al., 2023; United Nations, 2023). mental health challenges (Cianconi et al., 2020; Charlson
The indirect impacts of climate change extend to an et al., 2021), compared to regions with very low vulnerability
individual’s quality of life along the lines of economic (Estoque et al., 2019; Frumkin et al., 2008; Haines & Patz,
stability and social, physical, and mental well-being. 2004; IPCC, 2023; Levy & Patz, 2015; McMichael, 2009;
Quality of life is defined by the World Health Organization Thomas et al., 2014). These environmental and health
(WHO) as an individual’s perception of their position in impacts threaten a wide array of civil, political, economic,
life, taking into account the cultural and value systems social, and cultural rights, including the rights to life, water,
that one is embedded in, as well as the goals, standards, food, shelter, health, security, and cultural preservation
expectations, and concerns (Kelly et al., 2021; World (Evans, 2019; Kravchenko, 2007).
Health Organization, 2012). The concept of quality of At the national and regional levels, the groups most
life addresses overall well-being, inclusive of positive vulnerable to the environmental and health impacts of
and negative aspects at a point in time (Aqtam et al., climate change include poor and minority communities,
2023; Byravan et al., 2017; Haas, 1999; Hörnquist, 1982; women, children, people with chronic illnesses and
Luktionov, 2020). Indicators to study quality of life include disabilities, and those living in regions that are prone
those that are relevant to material living conditions (such to extreme weather and climate (Doherty et al., 2017;
as food, clothing, and shelter) as well as to quality of life Pecl et al., 2017; Thomas et al., 2014; Tol et al., 2009;
(such as environment, education, community, health, van Daalen et al., 2022). At the global level also, there is
governance, life satisfaction, safety, and work-life balance) a significant disparity in the effects of climate change on
(OECD, 2011; WHO Quality of Life Group, 1996; WHO, the quality of life. Despite being the lowest contributors
2012). Traditionally, quality of life was assessed using GDP. to climate change, low-income countries suffer the most
However, in recent years, this view has been considered impact, while high-income countries which are the highest
myopic, as it does not cover aspects of a person’s current contributors suffer less severe consequences (Martens
and future living conditions (Brock, 1993; IOM, 1990; et al., 1997). This is because of the inequality in the capacity
Ngan & Khoi, 2020; Ventegodt et al., 2003). While GDP and to adapt to the challenges posed by climate change (Levy &
economic growth remain key for well-being, the goals and Patz, 2015). As an example, the per-capita GHG emissions
aspirations of people are equally important in considering in 2004 in developed nations, such as the United States,
the overall quality of life for a sustainable society (Abbass Canada, and Australia approached 6 metric tons, and those
et al., 2022; Azevedo et al., 2020; Hall et al., 2010; Greco in Japan and Western European countries ranged from 2
et al., 2020; Kaplan et al.,2007; OECD, 2011). to 5 metric tons. In contrast, the overall annual per-capita
Climate change has a detrimental socioeconomic GHG emissions in developing countries are approximately
impact on the quality of life of the population (Fan et al., 0.6 metric tons, and more than 50 developing countries
2018; Gerson, 1976; Levy & Patz, 2015; Newman & Noy, have total annual per-capita GHG emissions of less than
2023). Environmental effects such as rising sea levels and 0.2 metric tons (Levy & Patz, 2015).
saltwater intrusion have forced communities to relocate, As global temperature increases, rich countries’
while droughts have exposed people to famine. Extreme economies continue to prosper, but the economic growth of
weather conditions have exacerbated the incidence of food poor countries is seriously impaired more than previously
scarcity, droughts, and displacement worldwide (Ebi et al., estimated (Stern, 2006; 2007). The consequences for
2021; Peclet al., 2017; Tol, 2009; Kravchenko, 2007). The economic growth in poor countries will be substantial
number of people facing acute food scarcity worldwide has if we continue a “business-as-usual” path of increasing
increased from 149 million before 2019 (pre-COVID-19), CO concentrations and rapid climate change, with poor
2
to 333 million in 2023 (post-COVID-19), in countries countries’ mean annual growth rate decreasing from
monitored by the World Food Program. Between 2010 3.2% to 2.6% (Gerson, 1976). Poor countries are likely to
and 2020, the death toll from climate change events was suffer a greater negative effect than rich countries from

Volume 3 Issue 2 (2025) 64 https://doi.org/10.36922/ghes.5018